Gem City News      July 27, 2011

Mark J. Tidwell

     Well folks, it’s been since January that I have updated the Gem City News.  Sorry about that.  I entered a period of life when there has been more to do, personally and professionally, than there is of me to do it!  Specifically, Jellico Library has undergone an expansion.  We are now twice the size we formally were.  We have also been extremely busy implementing three simultaneous grants and holding summer reading here at Jellico Library. 

     The summer reading program (SRP) was a blast at Jellico Public Library (JPL) this summer.  JPL applied for and received a sizable grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  We also received some private donations.  We were able to buy many materials and incentives previously out of our budgetary reach.  Each week, professional performers were at JPL.  We had magicians, scientists, Appalachian storytellers, zookeepers, animals, and a whole host of special guests for the kids, ages 4-12 that attended. 

     We really tried to put the emphasis back on good, old-fashioned reading skills this summer.  For no matter how digital today’s world has become, if one still can’t interpret what’s on the computer screen in front of them, they’re sunk.  Our top readers read 506, 350, and 274 books respectively. 

     The TN State Library and Archives sets the theme for each year’s SRP.  This time it was One World, Many Stories.  Through imagination, books and crafts, this year we travelled to Australia, Africa, England, Ireland, France, Mexico and many other worldly destinations.  Each kid had an inflatable globe and a reading log to keep track of things.  It takes the staff, volunteers, and many other dedicated individuals to put on such a program during the summer months, so our hats are off to everyone who helped make it a success in any way.

Above:  Summer readers constructing their hot air balloons for another adventure.

Car Show:  Jellico held its eleventh annual car show on June 18^th.  The day started off perfect, weather wise, for the event.  A very large crowd and lots of classic rides began pouring into downtown Veterans Park.  Engines rumbled and fancy paint schemes shone brightly in the summer sun.

     Unfortunately, about the time things really started to get cranked up, thunder drowned out the engines and clouds blotted out the sun.  Soon, a heavy rain was soaking all the spectators and fancy machines.  Folks didn’t leave though.  They ambled across the street and went through Buck’s Family Museum, assembled in the Conference Room out of the weather, or simply sat in their vehicles until most of the rain has played out.

     Festivities resumed in the afternoon with random drawings occurring for the many door prizes and ten fifty-dollar-bills that were given away.  Charlie “Rooster” Napier was the emcee and played a variety of good music all through the show. Everything from Willys Jeeps to lowered, radical street rods appeared at the show.

Veterans Park alive with activity at Jellico’s 11^th Annual Classic Vehicle Show.

      Opera singer, movie star, and former Jellico resident Grace Moore’s childhood “playhouse” has been moved to downtown Veterans Park.  Much work and effort is being put into restoring the small building to the way it would have looked when Grace Moore played in it as a young girl.

     The playhouse has been put a new foundation just behind the old Southern caboose in Veterans Park.  Hopefully, there will lots of Grace Moore memorabilia displayed behind secure plexiglass exhibit containers when everything is said and done. 

L-R:  Scotty Davis, Sam Farris and Bill Payne in front of Grace Moore’s playhouse.

      On July 12, around 9:20 in the morning, a cloudburst hit Jellico, the likes of which many long-time residents say they can’t recall anything to compare with.  The official reading was 3.83 inches of rain in only 45 minutes.  Several downtown businesses had water find its way in.  Widespread power outages blanketed town.  Lightning was severe, causing damage to electronics and telephone equipment.  Here at Jellico Library, in the words of the technician, our phone system was “smoked!”  It was a full two weeks before the Library’s phone system was brought back to life.

     Knoxville’s WATE TV sent reporter Erica Estep up to do a full report on the storm.  I forwarded some photos I’d taken to WBIR TV and they were featured on that night’s weather segment.  George Deuel, city employee, did a lot of work around town compiling a list of the damage for the City proper to be submitted to FEMA and so forth.

     One could literally have kayaked down much of Main and Fifth Streets for a short while that morning.  Dog Days set in on July 3^rd this year, wet, and as the old wives’ tale foretold, they have stayed wet.  We have had several other substantial rains follow in the wake of the July 12 Great Gem City Gullywasher of 2011, but none have topped it yet!

5^th Street in front of the TN Dept. of Human Services during the Great Gem City Gullywahser.

     Much has been occurring in city government under the administration elected last fall in Jellico.  The town is genuinely trying to pull itself up by the bootstraps and advance into a more prosperous and beneficial future.

     For the first time, Jellico hired 20 youth workers on a summer work program.  These were all recently graduated seniors from Jellico High School looking for some much needed employment experience to list on a future resume.  There were no office jobs. This was outside work designed to build some character and teach the value of a dollar.  Weed trimming, litter pickup, painting, and other duties, filled the youths’ summer days.

     On July 23, a party was given for the youth workers by the City of Jellico at Indian Mountain State Park Pool.  Hamburgers, hotdogs and lots of desserts were available, as well as the pool and diving board on the hot afternoon.  Most of the interns are off to college this fall, or are applying for full time employment.  I think they’ll remember this first real world work experience for the rest of their lives.

City employee Leroy Ruiz masterfully grilling up some burgers for the Summer Interns at Indian Mt. State Park.

     On May 28, Jellico held a very appropriate commemoration of Memorial Day.  Area servicemen and women assembled in downtown Veterans Park at the Jellico Area Veterans Memorial in remembrance of those who have paid the ultimate price for our nation.  A large crowd gathered in for the ceremony.

     The service was very touching, especially at the conclusion of the service flag presentation when the bagpipes play and the POW/MIA flag comes forward.  Later, a twenty-one gun salute rang throughout town as the Honor Guard fired.  Jellico has some of the richest military heritage of any town its size in America.  It’s something we should all be proud of and certainly never forget.

      One striking thing to me is that so very, precious few, World War II Vets still walk the sidewalks of Jellico.  Only Paul Bowlin, combat wounded in the European Theatre, was present at this year’s service.  WW II vets used to fill the chairs beneath one of the tents at such services.  The “Greatest Generation” is sadly leaving us at too rapid a rate. 

     I was talking to Paul after the ceremony and I told him I had a World War II M-1 Carbine in my collection and asked if he’d like to see it sometime……………. “No.” He somberly stated.  “I hadn’t handled one since I was discharged in 1946.  I really don’t care to ever see one again.” 

Old Glory is carefully folded at Jellico’s Memorial Day Service.

Me, Mark J., at my Dad’s grave on Memorial Day weekend.

Combat wounded in Europe, Paul Bowlin (left rear) was the only WW II Veteran at this year’s service.  Their ranks are thinning fast.

          Jellico held its first annual barbeque contest in May.  There were three categories in the contest; pork, beef, and chicken.  A large crowd gathered downtown for the contest.  The aroma was astounding.  Folks sampled, ate, and enjoyed.  It is really good to see so many activities.  Jellico had been a very lively place as of late. 

Councilman Tommy Bowlin awaiting his BBQ platter being served up by contestant Marvin Morgan.

     Too many things are happening in Jellico to mention here.  The town is evolving, yet retaining much of its small town, mountain charm.  Coal is flowing through town in great capacity.  Logs also pass by in astounding numbers.  Yet, new industries are looking to locate here.  Jellico has a City paper now, The Jellico Gem City Mountaineer, a new quarterly publication, with the next issue slated for September 1. 

     A new Class of Jellicoans was just turned loose from Jellico High School.  They’re looking for their place in the world right now.  My daughter Rebekah Jo was among the 2011 JHS graduates.  I wish all the new graduates the best of luck.  Go into the world and make your hometown proud!